Best Practices in Pro Bono: Using AI to Further Access to Justice – Where Do We Start?

In our last Best Practices in Pro Bono session, we defined artificial intelligence (AI) and explored how AI has been, is being, and can be used in legal services generally, and to facilitate access to justice and pro bono in particular. That session raised many questions, the most pressing of which is how. How can we use AI to further access to justice and what are the considerations for its responsible use? How do we ensure equity and quality service delivery to clients? Join our expert panel as we confront the reality of AI, discuss how legal institutions can and should educate themselves on this ever-changing field, and explore the conversations we should be having about implementing AI. Bring your questions and experiences. We'll save time for attendee engagement during the session. Our panelists include: Tiana Russell, Pro Bono Counsel, Crowell & Moring Michael Lukens, Executive Director, CAIR Coalition  Jim Sandman, Vice-Chair of the ABA Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence, Law Professor, President Emeritus of the Legal Services Corporation, Past President of the D.C. Bar (and so, so much more!) The conversation will be moderated by Jen Masi, Pro Bono Director, Children's Law Center We want to respond to what's on your mind. Please share your questions/issues in advance of our discussion. Either add them to your registration or email Christina Jackson at cjackson@wclawyers.org.  We welcome pro bono coordinators from law firms, corporations, legal services providers, nonprofits, and government agencies from DC and across the country.

Summer Forum 2024: Keynote Recap

The 2024 summer forum began on June 20th with keynote speaker Fatima Goss Graves. Fatima is president and CEO of the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), president of the NWLC action fund, and co-founder of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. She has dedicated her life’s work to issues regarding income security and COVID relief, equal pay, ending sexual harassment and violence, health and reproductive rights, education rights, and workplace justice with a particular focus on outcomes for women and girls of color. Fatima is a nationally recognized leader in the fight for gender justice and is truly an expert in law, policy, and culture change.  

D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Advice & Referral Clinic (July 2024)

Trying to find a way to fit pro bono service into your schedule? Join us for a rewarding day of service, where your skills can make a significant difference in the lives of those seeking legal guidance and support! Volunteer on Saturday, July 27th to gain experience in serving the D.C. community in a variety of matters! At the clinic, you'll provide brief advice (and referrals) to people who otherwise wouldn't have access to legal help. We meet at DC Bar Office, 901 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Street parking is available. Please arrive at 9:00 am, a brief orientation takes place at 9:15 am, and volunteers are asked to stay until the last client is seen, usually at least 3:00 pm. There's no time commitment beyond the clinic itself. As a volunteer attorney, you'll answer questions about consumer law, family law, housing law, public benefits, bankruptcy, and other topics. You don't need to be an expert in these areas of law: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center staff and expert mentors will be on hand to help. You do need to be a member of the D.C. Bar to participate. The deadline to volunteer is Wednesday, July 17 by 5:00 pm ET. Once you register to attend, our Program Director and volunteer coordinator, Chris Marin, will be in touch with additional details. We are currently looking for volunteers in private practice, including solo practitioners and those at firms. IMPORTANT: If you are currently in a government position and would like to volunteer please contact Lara Eilhardt at Lara.Eilhardt@usdoj.gov. If you are currently a law student and would like to volunteer please contact Rachel Lawrence at lawrencera@cua.edu. Thank you!

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Immigration & Human Rights Panel

Our country has long been a place where different cultures, beliefs, and nationalities come together thanks in large part to centuries of immigrants coming to the United States hoping to make a better life for themselves and their families. That dream of a better life still rings true in the hearts of those seeking to immigrate here today. However, for those new to the United States, navigating a foreign legal system can be a treacherous undertaking. That’s where immigration lawyers become essential. This panel will give you insight into what the field of immigration law looks like today and opportunities in which you can provide assistance. Learn more about the wide-ranging legal issues immigrants face and what pro bono opportunities are available in D.C. and across the country to help address these needs at our 2024 Summer Forum Panel on Immigration and Human Rights Panel on Thursday, June 27 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET. 

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Panel

Join us for an insightful panel event focusing on civil rights and civil liberties through the lens of public interest law and pro bono service. This event brings together distinguished legal experts and dedicated advocates who will share their experiences and perspectives on safeguarding fundamental freedoms and promoting social justice. Discover how pro bono efforts are making a significant impact in the fight for equality and learn about the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the realm of civil rights advocacy.  Don't miss this opportunity to engage with leaders in the field and deepen your understanding of these critical issues. The Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Panel is on Thursday, June 27 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET. Register here to join the virtual conversation. 

Graphic: 2024 Summer Forum with each of 6 panel graphics in a grid

2024 Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum

Our Summer Pro Bono & Public Interest Forum is an annual tradition that brings together lawyers, summer associates, summer interns, and others interested in using their law degrees to help those in need. It’s also a great way to highlight the importance of pro bono and public-interest work throughout one’s legal career. You may register to attend the Summer Forum anytime before Thursday, June 27. If you missed previous sessions, we will send you links to the recordings of those earlier events.  We kicked off the forum with an in-person and live-streamed keynote conversation with Fatima Goss Graves, President & CEO of the National Women's Law Center. Ms. Goss Graves is a nationally recognized leader in the fight for gender justice and an expert in law, policy, and culture change. We enjoyed discussing her work across a broad set of issues central to the lives of women and girls – including income security and COVID relief, equal pay, ending sexual harassment and violence, health and reproductive rights, education access, and workplace justice – with a particular focus on outcomes for women and girls of color. A recording of our discussion is available to all registrants. We now dive deeper into six substantive practice areas through virtual panel discussions where you will learn more about pro bono and public-interest work in DC and across the country. Each panel focuses on a different practice area, featuring presentations by national and local experts in that legal specialty. All discussions will take place from 12:00-1:30 pm ET. The panel topics will include: June 26 – Non-Litigation Pro Bono June 26 – Environmental Justice June 26 – Criminal Law & Death Penalty June 27 – Poverty Law June 27 – Civil Rights & Civil Liberties June 27 – Immigration & Human Rights The Summer Forum is open to Washington Council of Lawyers members (join), participants in summer associate and summer intern programs, lawyers in law firms, government and public-interest organizations, law students, and others interested in learning more about incorporating public-interest law into their practice. You can attend from anywhere! A single registration provides access to all three days of Summer Forum sessions, and recordings of each session will be sent to all registered attendees. The cost is just $45 for WCL Members; $65 for Government & Public-Interest Lawyers, Interns, and Individual Law Students; and $105 for Law Firm Lawyers, Summer Associates, Corporate Law Department Lawyers, Law Department Interns, and the General Public. Bulk registrations are available. Please email Christina Jackson (at cjackson@wclawyers.org) if you need any assistance. Look for updates and join the conversation about the Summer Forum using #SumFo24 on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn!

Supreme Court: View from the Press Gallery (2024)

As the Supreme Court’s term ends, we'll take a behind-the-headlines look at the Court's work with our panel of distinguished journalists who have covered the Supreme Court for decades. Our panel includes: John Fritze (CNN) Amy Howe (Howe on the Court and contributor to SCOTUSblog) David Savage (Los Angeles Times) Mark Sherman (Associated Press) Abbie VanSickle (New York Times) The panel will be moderated by Art Spitzer, Senior Counsel, ACLU-DC. The cost of this program is $35 for Washington Council of Lawyers members; $45 for public interest & government attorneys as well as interns and law students, and$60 law firm associates, summer associates, and the general public . (Join here to receive the discounted price.) Lunch is provided and the program offers open seating, so please arrive early! We look forward to having you join us for lunch and a fascinating discussion of the recently-concluded Supreme Court term! Finally, if you'd like your summer associates or interns to attend and need assistance registering them as a group, email our Executive Director, Christina Jackson at cjackson@wclawyers.org. Join and follow the conversation at #SCOTUSpress!

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Poverty Law Panel

People living in poverty struggle daily to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. Critical relief: housing, nutrition, health care, fair employment, and protection from violence, often turn not on rights but on access to justice. Often access to justice remain out of reach for many trying to navigate complex rules and requirements. While legal representation can transform an individual’s ability to access what they need to survive and thrive, low-income litigants are the least likely to have an attorney to help them through the legal process. Pro bono attorneys who fill this gap literally save lives. Learn more about the wide-ranging legal issues individuals living in poverty face and what pro bono opportunities are available in D.C. and across the country to help address these needs at our 2024 Summer Forum Panel on Poverty Law on Thursday, June 27 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET. Register here to join the virtual conversation.

2024 Fellowships 101 Recap

On June 3, we welcomed a panel of fellowship directors and student fellows from the Skadden Foundation, Justice Catalyst, and Equal Justice Works to discuss the process of obtaining a fellowship for current law students. For law students pursuing public interest law, fellowships are one of the most effective postgraduate pathways into a career. Our two fellow panelists spoke about their unique exposure to extensive legal experience as well as the combined learning from seasoned professionals and a cohort of attorney fellows. Fellows benefit from the institutional memory of their host organizations, gain access to a public interest alumni community, engage in meaningful work, and receive support as they begin their careers. 

2024 Summer Forum Preview: Non-Litigation Pro Bono Panel

When we say pro bono, many think of assisting litigants through navigating the many ins and out of the court system, but that's not the only place our legal system asks non-lawyers to have an understanding of the law. There are many opportunities for pro bono representation in transactional matters. From setting up businesses to providing tax advice, knowing the right forms and how to fill them out can make all the difference. Trained lawyers can draft wills for veterans, navigate uncontested divorce proceedings, research novel issues, and much more. If you want to support your community but hope to stay out of the courtroom, this is the panel for you!  Learn more about the impactful opportunities to get involved at our first substantive panel discussion on Wednesday, June 26 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET. Register here to join the virtual conversation.

Welcome our 2024 Summer Intern, Delphine Gareau!

Meet Our Summer 2024 Intern: Delphine Gareau Delphine is a rising junior at Boston College from Concord, Massachusetts. She is a pre-law student majoring in International Studies with minors in Environmental Studies and Religion and American Public Life. This summer, she is participating in The Fund for American Studies Academic Internship Program, taking economics and public policy courses while interning with WCL. At Boston College, Delphine currently serves as the Student Senate Academic Affairs Committee Chair, a Peer Advisor for the International Studies Department, and the Junior Captain of the Club Equestrian Team. With aspirations for a career in law, she will assist the Washington Council of Lawyers with legal research, events, social media, and writing projects. Welcome to the team, Delphine!

Back To Top